Our Store Meet Our Staff Gear Rentals Hiking RMNP Backpacking Snowshoeing Inn to Inn Hiking Footpaths of the World    Moraine Park Fern Lake, The Pool & Cub Lake Distance: 3.8 miles (one-way to Fern) Elevation gain: 1,375 ft. Difficulty: low moderate Trailhead: Moraine Park/ Fern Lake Trailhead Overall: Beginning to the pool along the Big Thompson. Last 2 miles thru the trees to Fern Lake. Lots of variety and options come your way on this beautiful hike in the Moraine Park area. The trail to Fern Lake begins at the Fern Lake trailhead and heads for 1 1/2 miles along the Big Thompson to the Pool. This first section is easy and somewhat hot. From the Pool the trailhead becomes a bit harder, making its way to Fern Lake via Fern Falls. To make things more interesting on the way down, you may opt to take the trail to Cub Lake from the Pool. This requires an uphill climb at the beginning and a walk back to the Fern Lake parking area from the Cub Lake trailhead. Make sure you have enough energy. Odessa Lake Distance: 4.4 miles Elevation Gain: 1,865 ft. Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead: Fern Lake Parking Lot Overall: If Fern Lake is beautiful, then Odessa is spectacular. Worth the extra effort!! Too many people stop at Fern Lake when only .6 miles further sits one of the most spectacular lakes in the park. Odessa can be reached by way of Fern Lake, or a great option is to start at Bear Lake and hike down from Lake Helene. You can do this with 2 vehicles (one at Bear Lake and one at Fern Lake Trailhead) or you can pick up the shuttle (check summertime schedule) or you can make a loop and return to Bear Lake via Mt. Wuh and Mill Creek Basin. This last option is somewhere around 9-11 miles and requires a good pull over Mt. Wuh.   Copyright© 2008 The Warming House, Inc.